Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 6

The CPI (ML) New Democracy and Punjab’s public and democratic organisations on Monday called for ‘accountability’ on the death of Jesuit priest and tribal rights activist Father Stan Swamy.

A massive protest was staged in the city blaming the Modi government for the death of Swamy. The agitators during the protest demanded for support from human rights activists and advocates against the custodial death of Swamy.

CPI (ML) leaders demanded a case of murder to be registered against Home Minister Amit Shah, who was responsible for the political assassination of Stan Swamy. Demanding his arrest the leaders also sought immediate release of intellectual activists lodged in jails. Earlier, a rally was held at Desh Bhagat Memorial Hall.

Speaking on the occasion, comrade Ajmer Singh, senior state leader of CPI (ML) New Democracy, said last year the NIA had arrested 84-year-old Stan Swami in the Elgar Parishad Bhima Koregaon case. He was denied bail.

“The main reason for Stan Swamy’s death was his untimely treatment. The Modi government, especially Amit Shah, was directly responsible for Stan Swamy’s death, who was suffering from Parkinson’s disease”, said Ajmer.

He said the Modi government was on the path of selling the water and forest lands of the country for the benefit of some rich corporate houses. Those who oppose it are being imprisoned on false charges. Human rights intellectuals, writers and democratic activists were being jailed for filing pamphlets like false treason and UAPA. All public activists should be released immediately.

Tarsem Peter, state president, Rural Workers Union Punjab Kashmir Singh Ghughshor, state press secretary and others were present in the protest.